Best way to do a 6 night, no frills on-site solo trip ...

[2Tiggies]

Hello peeps

As the title suggests, I'm thinking about a 5 or 6 night solo trip next year just me and my camera, any time of the year but want to stay onsite. On my own I'm quite happy with a value resort (would prefer POP to the All Stars for location but again, not fussy).

I looked on the US site and ran a few quotes up for various times of the year and then looked at parallel quotes on the UK site and it seems the US lends itself favorably to shorter stays, which is I guess, no big news flash.

I suppose it all hinges on flights. School holidays are probably not the best time to go so looking for any time of the year really between March and November.

While I accept that this is one of those typical "how long is a piece of string" questions, I'd appreciate some pointers from those of you who have done shorter stays onsite booking through the US.

 

[london75]

The only thing I'd say is Thomson had some fantastic last minute flight prices this year in May/June at around the 2-300 per person mark. Might have to go for a week though. That would be a shame

 

[2Tiggies]

The only thing I'd say is Thomson had some fantastic last minute flight prices this year in May/June at around the 2-300 per person mark. Might have to go for a week though. That would be a shame

Oh that would be ok. I was just thinking of my parents who both still work and would have DD for the week - 7 days including the day I fly home sounds easier to persuade than 7 nights making 8 days lol

But Thomson flies to Sanford don't they? I would need to then get a transfer to the resort so depending on the add-on for that .... I will look into all options. Thanks for the heads up. I haven't looked at charter before

 

[torsie24]

Are you going next year anyway? If so it would definitely be worth seeing if you can upgrade your ticket to an AP (maye easier said than done if you have a DDP package)

AP rates can really be awesome deals.

As can bounce back rates (might be worth asking at reception if you have a trip beore your solo one) and I know the Swan and Dolphin can have some good deals.

Expedia an similar sites can be good for room only too.

 

[2Tiggies]

Thanks Torsie. We were sitting next year out (high school begins!) in favour of going the following Easter and having a longer trip. Not sure I can afford the August trip 10 months after this year's trip, although I may look at AP and TIW as opposed to QSDP which I would probably add on

 

[torsie24]

Well if both trips are less than 12 months apart AP and TIW could be a good plan.

We thought TIW was great value on our 3 week trip as we could never have eaten DDP for that long! Plus you get all the on site discounts too.

 

[2Tiggies]

Well if both trips are less than 12 months apart AP and TIW could be a good plan.

We thought TIW was great value on our 3 week trip as we could never have eaten DDP for that long! Plus you get all the on site discounts too.

Didn't really think of that. So if I went in November, to see the Christmas decorations, which is something DD won't consider as she won't go when it's not swimming weather .... and we were are going the following year, then AP could make sense.

Do you still just need one AP for reservation to qualify for the discounts and TIW card?

 

[torsie24]

Yup just the one. You can book an AP rate without an AP too I believe. Just need to have it when you check in.

Also - with your AP you'll get a discount on DDs ticket.

And only one diner needs the TiW - they let me use mine for a party of 22!

 

[2Tiggies]

Yup just the one. You can book an AP rate without an AP too I believe. Just need to have it when you check in.

Also - with your AP you'll get a discount on DDs ticket.

And only one diner needs the TiW - they let me use mine for a party of 22!

Now that throws a new slant on things if we go Easter - since there is no free dining available for our school holidays and without free dining I had mentioned that it may not be an option for us and we might end up with August. Thanks for all this. This is the reason why it's so good to get feedback from others. There is always more than one way to do something

 

[dixonsontour]

Agree with london75 Last couple of years early May (SATS time in english schools) has had great charter flight prices - aswell as thompson look at monarch (cosmos).

Disney resort wise have you thought about art of animation - we had one night in a little mermaid room and it was a fab resort.

 

[Elise79]

Yup just the one. You can book an AP rate without an AP too I believe. Just need to have it when you check in.

Also - with your AP you'll get a discount on DDs ticket.

And only one diner needs the TiW - they let me use mine for a party of 22!

There's no discount on other tickets with APs just discounted entry at the water parks, DQ & mini golf.

Thumbs up for TIW card. It is accepted at most TS and the CS at the values, POFQ & SSR plus a couple in AK. We wouldn't be without it - we prefer it to any DP. Tables in Wonderland website

We have booked through Disney US several times and NEVER paid rack rate Discounts are typically released quite late ~ 3 months ahead but as long as its term time for US schools there will be some form of room only discount. The nice thing with booking with the US WDTC is the T&Cs.

Firstly, there are no admin charges for changes and if a discount comes out you can get it applied and reduce your cost as long as there is availability.

On Room only, as long as you book over the phone or through a US agent you pay a one night deposit and balance at check in. The deposit is fully refundable up to 6 days before check in. We have used Dreams Unlimited when we booked as they will watch for discounts for you and get them added they will also do ADRs etc and help put together an itinerary which they email you before you go.

Packages and online room only have a fixed deposit ($200 I think) with balance due 45 days before check in. Deposit is fully refundable up to the 45 day mark too.

I would pick either early May for the end of Flower & Garden at Epcot or week before Thanksgiving for the Xmas decorations.

 

[torsie24]

There's no discount on other tickets with APs just discounted entry at the water parks, DQ & mini golf.

My mistake. I know we got a discount when we bought our water park APs so got a little confused. X

 

[2Tiggies]

Thank you all of you for your great advice and input. There are a lot of options suggested here that I hadn't really thought about (and some I didn't know about). It looks like I have some homework to do

 

[disneyholic family]

i've done one solo trip so far - 9 days 3 years ago.

I stayed at the pop century and did have an AP - i used the AP discount on the resort, all my purchases, and on all the tours (i went on 7 different behind the scenes tours)

 

[2Tiggies]

i've done one solo trip so far - 9 days 3 years ago.

I stayed at the pop century and did have an AP - i used the AP discount on the resort, all my purchases, and on all the tours (i went on 7 different behind the scenes tours)

There's another thing I forgot about - all the tours that I've put on hold because DD is still too young! I'm sure she will enjoy some of them once she's old enough though. She will be 12 (just) when we go together again as a family and I think that most of them have 12 as a minimum age (?)

 

[Elise79]

There's another thing I forgot about - all the tours that I've put on hold because DD is still too young! I'm sure she will enjoy some of them once she's old enough though. She will be 12 (just) when we go together again as a family and I think that most of them have 12 as a minimum age (?)

Most are 16 minimum

A couple are 12 but they don't go backstage.

 

[2Tiggies]

Most are 16 minimum

A couple are 12 but they don't go backstage.

Ah well. There's obviously good reason why they have set an age limit. Unfortunately not all 12 year olds are "12" just like not all 16's are "16". My DD as an only child living alone with me all her life has lived in an adult world so she tends to appreciate and enjoy what is sometimes not seen as interesting for her age group.

I will have a look into it first and ensure that if I do book one that I go with one that is not a 12 limit, so that if she chooses to enjoy a tour on our next trip, we can do that together

These are all things that I've never looked into as yet as I'm still in the child friendly stage and mode.

Thank you so much for all the info you've shared already

 

[disneyholic family]

Ah well. There's obviously good reason why they have set an age limit. Unfortunately not all 12 year olds are "12" just like not all 16's are "16". My DD as an only child living alone with me all her life has lived in an adult world so she tends to appreciate and enjoy what is sometimes not seen as interesting for her age group.

I will have a look into it first and ensure that if I do book one that I go with one that is not a 12 limit, so that if she chooses to enjoy a tour on our next trip, we can do that together

These are all things that I've never looked into as yet as I'm still in the child friendly stage and mode.

Thank you so much for all the info you've shared already

that's the reason i'd never gone on most of them - the kids were too young or not interested in those particular tours...or we just didn't have the time....
actually, disney used to have fantastic behind the scenes tours for kids years ago and my kids went on all of those..
so this was my opportunity to finally get to see some of the things they'd seen....